Breathing re-education
Breathing is the first thing we do as we enter the world and the last thing we do as we leave the world. On average we complete 25 000 breath cycles a day and we can only survive a few minutes without air. As this is such an important function of the body how much time and attention do you spend on your breathing? Have you been taught the most efficient way to breathe that brings balance to the body and mind?
Breathing is an automatic function that does not require conscious control. For various reasons over time an increasing number of people have lost the ability to breathe properly. Breathing regulates our circulation, hormones, digestion, movement, sleep, and the nervous system therefore poor breathing habits lead to poor physical and mental health.
Symptoms suggestive of inefficient breathing:
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Breathlessness
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Heavy breathing through the night or snoring
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Breathing through the mouth (day or night)
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Audible breathing during rest
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Frequent sighing, sniffing or yawning
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Holding the breath
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Taking large breaths prior to talking
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Noticeable breathing
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Fast or irregular breathing
Observe your breathing over the next week.
Do you have any of these symptoms?
Inefficient breathing contributes to a wide variety of symptoms or conditions:
Hayfever, sinusitis, rhinitis, blocked nose,
Asthma, chronic bronchitis
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Breathlessness, reduced exercise capacity
Long covid
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS)
ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)
CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)
Chronic pain
Anxiety, stress. panic disorder
ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
Snoring, sleep apnoea, insomnia
PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
Fertility
Menopause
Dental health
It is never too late to retrain your body to breath efficiently and effectively
The results can be life changing and include improved oxygen delivery, dilation of the airways in the lungs, reduced breathlessness, reduced blood pressure, calmer state of mind, reduced effort involved during movement and improvements in sleep, focus, concentration and energy levels.
Principles of breathing re-education:
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Biochemical – addressing blood sensitivity to carbon dioxide
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Biomechanical – breathing from the diaphragm
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Cadence – aiming to reduce the respiratory rate to between 4.5 – 6.5 breaths per minute in order to influence the autonomic functioning of the body
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Nasal breathing throughout the day and night
I am here to help you ‘be the best you can be’.
